The simple realization that these heart-felt statements are the basis of Dr. Ira Byock's book, "The Four Things That Matter Most: A Book About Living."

He'll speak on the topic at 7:30 p.m. May 14 in Central Moravian Church in downtown Bethlehem. Byock will give the Dr. and Mrs. Max Littner Memorial Lecture for Bereavement.

According to a news release from St. Luke's University Health Network, which is sponsoring the program, Byock's goal in writing the book was to encourage people to nurture relationships before they faced end-of-life situations.

According to the release:

"For years I have taught these simple, yet profound statements to patients who were forced to confront life's end -- and learned their value from patients and families," he said. "But 'the four things' apply at any time. They offer a powerful way to mend even our most troubled relationships and to nurture our cherished connections to the people we love. There is a transformative potential in saying the four things,” he said.

Learning to use the key phrases throughout your lifetime can help people feel forgiveness for self and others; feel gratitude; love yourself and others; and learn to let go, according to Byock. The premises may help to do the right thing, reconcile the rifts between people, cut through old history and provide opportunities for forgiveness, love and emotional growth."

“Dr. Byock was selected as this year’s feature speaker because his message is basic to good mental health across the lifespan,” said grief counselor Wendy Littner Thomson. “There is enormous value in getting our relationships ‘current,’ so when the time comes for us, or for a loved one to die, we will have the potential for a greater sense of peace – whether it is the end of our life or as we navigate our bereavement. If there are unsettled issues, regrets or resentments, loss is tougher to integrate after a death.”

General admission tickets are $15 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1-866-785-8537)or order at www.sluhn.org/irabyock .

Tickets are also available for purchase at Moravian Book Shop. Byock’s book is available for purchase at the store. Purchase in the store in advance of the lecture and receive a 20-percent discount on the book. Books will also be available for purchase the night of the lecture at Central Moravian Church.

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ABOUT THE WRITERS

TIM DARRAGH has been reporting and editing the news for 30 years, most of it at The Morning Call. For much of that time, he's been doing award-winning investigative and in-depth reporting projects. Tim created the three-year-long Change of Heart project, and wrote a series on the state's fractured food inspection system that led to widespread improvements in food safety. Meantime, that novice jogger you see plodding along the streets around Bethlehem Township? That would be Tim.